Doctor's release form for DM

[Texasguy]

How and where did you get your doctor's release signed?

I don't have a doctor who knows me or my medical history. Would any doctor who sees you for the very first time sign the form after spending some time looking at you? Or it would require all kinds of $$$ tests before a signature can be obtained?

 

[flots am]

How and where did you get your doctor's release signed?

I don't have a doctor who knows me or my medical history. Would any doctor who sees you for the very first time sign the form after spending some time looking at you? Or it would require all kinds of $$$ tests before a signature can be obtained?

The medical form lists specific performance requirements for continued energy expenditure ( 13 METS, I believe) , which most doctors ignore for their current patients who they think won't die.

However a risk-averse doctor who has never seen you might actually sign you up for a treadmill test and other stuff before signing off.

OTOH, I've seen signed medical releases for people who I was sure would die before getting out of the first pool session, so there are definitely doctors that don't care much.

Like everything else, "it depends"

Sorry for the non-help.

 

[knotical]

Can’t answer for the particular practitioners you might encounter, but you can get some idea for yourself. Check out this form: http://www.wrstc.com/downloads/10 - Medical Guidelines.pdf
It’s used by several agencies, including the big one. It includes Guidelines / Instructions to the Physician. Looking them over, you’ll see the examiner will at least need to take a medical history. Beyond that will likely depend on them and your history.

Although the form uses the term “physician”, many (most?) instructors will accept a release completed by other medical professionals. For example, my primary care provider is a nurse-practitioner.

 

[raftingtigger]

Lots of places, my urgent care clinic for one, does DOT examinations on people they have never met. We get the required medical history and do the required exam and then certify (or not) depending on the applicants medical status. We are dependent on the applicant to give us an accurate history. Within a month these certifications will be part of a national database - but for now it is all on the honor system as to the actual medications used and prior medical history. This is for ensuring the safety of commercial drivers on our roads and highways.

The physical for the DM has less specifics and a few risks that don't apply to the DOT driver's exam, but performing one isn't rocket science. Find a place that does employment physicals or DOT exams if you don't have a personal provider (PCP). If the provider has knowledge of hyperbaric issues - great, if not then have them read the information for providers that are part of the form. Just be honest - the one most likely to suffer if you aren't is yourself.

 

[SynCitizen]

Per DAN:medical referral network

If you are looking for a physician to conduct a diving physical to be medically cleared for diving or would like a consultation from a diving medical specialist in your area, you can call DAN at +1-919-684-2948 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern)



Although about any physician could sign you off, I prefer one better versed in diving medicine and a divers more specific needs and concerns.

 

[tursiops]

My previous doctor for 20 years (in a group practice) retired, so I got a new guy this year for my annual physical and the signing-of-diving-release-forms. He had me on-the-spot do both a stress test and get an echo-cardiogram. I didn't get to the 13 METS (in street clothes and dress shoes!), but he signed everything off. Said the extra tests made him feel better. Secretly, they made me feel better too!

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[diversteve]

The shop you're certifying thru likely has someone they recommend. Mine does.

You've got Ocean Corporation in Houston also - they must have referrals. Although a Commercial Diving physical is way more than you need.

 

[emoreira]

Can’t answer for the particular practitioners you might encounter, but you can get some idea for yourself. Check out this form: http://www.wrstc.com/downloads/10 - Medical Guidelines.pdf
It’s used by several agencies, including the big one. It includes Guidelines / Instructions to the Physician. Looking them over, you’ll see the examiner will at least need to take a medical history. Beyond that will likely depend on them and your history.

Although the form uses the term “physician”, many (most?) instructors will accept a release completed by other medical professionals. For example, my primary care provider is a nurse-practitioner.

At least both PADI and SSI use the same gide, but branded (instead of WRSTC, says PADI or SSI).
A good doctor will ask several test including an ergometry heart test, a respiratory capacity test, besides the classic blood, urinalisys, thorax RX and a general physical test.

 

[TSandM]

If you require medical clearance, it means you have a medical condition. How much evaluation of the condition would be needed to clear you to dive depends on what it is. If you have seasonal allergies and just need to be signed off for meds for them, that's simple. Any physician should be happy to clear you. If you have asthma, you might need pulmonary function tests. If you have had a cardiac stent, you might need a stress test AND a cardiology consultation.

 

[Mikko Ilari Laakkonen]

If you require medical clearance, it means you have a medical condition. How much evaluation of the condition would be needed to clear you to dive depends on what it is. If you have seasonal allergies and just need to be signed off for meds for them, that's simple. Any physician should be happy to clear you. If you have asthma, you might need pulmonary function tests. If you have had a cardiac stent, you might need a stress test AND a cardiology consultation.

Actually a less than a yyear old doctor's signed medical clearance must be attached to every DM and instructor application.